Climate Studies (B.S.)

Climate Studies (B.S.)
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The most important issues of our time and the future.


Plymouth State’s Climate Studies B.S. degree is the only one of its kind in New Hampshire and one of very few in the entire nation. Featuring a core of atmospheric and environmental science courses and a large number of optional courses in focus areas, it allows students to follow their interests and skills and gain new ones in this important field.


This program is highly interdisciplinary and designed to address the increasing interest in dealing with the problem of climate change. Students will gain a foundation in climate science, technical and communication skills, and have high flexibility in following one or more interdisciplinary focus areas (in art, business, communication, public policy, geographic information systems and mapping, or go deeper into a variety of science possibilities). The problem of climate change goes well beyond basic science and in order to appropriately solve current and future problems caused by its effects, a highly interdisciplinary approach and experts with many different types of skills are needed. A wide variety of these areas of expertise exist at Plymouth State and this program uses them to prepare professionals that can address one or more of the many needs related to studying, educating people about, planning for, regulating, adapting to, and dealing with climate change and its many effects, by building on the students’ own interests and skills.

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Phone: (603) 535-2325
Office: Exploration & Discovery, Boyd Science Center Rm 122, MSC 48, Plymouth, NH 03264
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Curriculum & Requirements

Course Title Credits
Major Requirements
°ä³¢²ÑÌý1000Introductory Climate Studies Seminar1
²Ñ°ÕÌý2000Fundamentals of Meteorology and Climatology (GACO)3
·¡³§±ÊÌý2110Introduction to Environmental Science and Policy II4
·¡³§±ÊÌý3201Energy and Society4
·¡³§±ÊÌý3326Climate, Risk, and Adaptation (GACO)3
°ä²ÑÌý3095Technical Communication (TECO,WRCO)4
°ä³¢²ÑÌý4000Climate Studies Capstone Project2
·¡³§±ÊÌý4441Climate Change3
Math and Technical Skills
²Ñ´¡Ìý2300Statistics I (QRCO)3
²Ñ´¡Ìý2130Precalculus (QRCO)4
´Ç°ùÌý²Ñ´¡Ìý2550 Calculus I (QRCO)
Take one of the following:3-4
³Ò·¡Ìý2050
GIS I: Introduction to Geographic Information Systems (QRCO,TECO)
°ä³§Ìý2010
Computing Fundamentals (TECO)
°ä³§Ìý2370
Introduction to Programming
Interdisciplinary Focus Areas
Take three lower-level (1000/2000) courses and take five upper-level (3000/4000) courses 1,224-32
Communication Focus
°ä²ÑÌý2000
Studies in Communication and Media (TECO)
°ä²ÑÌý2006
Intercultural Communication
°ä²ÑÌý2007
Strategic Communication
°ä²ÑÌý2405
Public Speaking
°ä²ÑÌý2775
Media and Cultural Studies (TECO)
°ä²ÑÌý2915
Communication and Leadership
°ä²ÑÌý2995
Professional Social Media
°ä²ÑÌý3485
Global Perspectives in the Media (GACO)
°ä²ÑÌý3675
Journalism in the Digital Age (TECO,WRCO)
³§±«Ìý3333
Environmental Humanities (WRCO)
±á±õÌý4200
Career Launch: Tell Your Story
Foreign Language 1000/2000 3
Foreign Language 3000/4000 3
Science Focus
µþ±õÌý1110
Biological Science I (TECO)
µþ±õÌý1120
Biological Science II
°ä±áÌý2335
General Chemistry I (QRCO)
°ä±áÌý2340
General Chemistry II
·¡³§±ÊÌý2100
Introduction to Environmental Science and Policy I
²Ñ°ÕÌý2250
Introduction to Weather Analysis and Forecasting
±Ê±áÌý2110
College Physics I
±Ê±áÌý2120
College Physics II
±Ê±áÌý2510
University Physics I
±Ê±áÌý2520
University Physics II
µþ±õÌý3240
Conservation (DICO,GACO)
µþ±õÌý3260
Freshwater Ecology
µþ±õÌý4750
Plant Diversity & Evolution
·¡³§±ÊÌý3310
Hydrology
·¡³§±ÊÌý3335
Environmental Geology (TECO)
·¡³§±ÊÌý3550
Environment and Health (WECO)
·¡³§±ÊÌý4310
Advanced Conservation Ecology
²Ñ°ÕÌý3725
Instruments and Observations in Meteorology
²Ñ°ÕÌý4155
Air Quality
Geographic Information System and Mapping Focus
³Ò·¡Ìý3050
GIS II: Advanced Geographic Information Systems
³Ò·¡Ìý4010
Remote Sensing and Digital Image Processing
³Ò·¡Ìý4050
Geospatial Technology Applications
³Ò·¡Ìý4060
GIS Programming
Public Policy and Planning Focus
±Ê°¿Ìý1035
World Politics (GACO)
·¡±Ê³¢Ìý2105
Community Planning
·¡³§±ÊÌý2305
Foundations of Environmental Policy (WRCO)
±Ê°¿Ìý1025
American Government
±Ê°¿Ìý2025
Public Administration (DICO)
±Ê°¿Ìý2050
Comparative Politics and Government
·¡±Ê³¢Ìý3100
Environmental Planning
·¡±Ê³¢Ìý3150
Introduction to Permaculture
±Ê°¿Ìý3255
Model United Nations (GACO,INCO)
·¡±Ê³¢Ìý3270
Sustainability in Residences
·¡³§±ÊÌý4325
Decision Making in Environmental Management
³Ò·¡Ìý3080
Economic Geography
±Ê°¿Ìý3060
Political Analysis and Policy (WRCO)
³§°¿Ìý3605
Sustainability in Practice (WECO)
Art Focus
´¡¸éÌý1045
Art Foundations 2D: Composition and Content
´¡¸éÌý1065
Art Foundations 3D: Design and Meaning
´¡¸éÌý1075
Art Foundations Drawing: Line and Language
±Ê°ÕÌý2600
Photography I
´¡¸éÌý3015
Painting
´¡¸éÌý3125
Painting: Process Exploration
´¡¸éÌý3295
Printmaking: Cut, Carve, Etch
´¡¸éÌý3325
Printmaking: Silkscreen and Alternative Processes
´¡¸éÌý3575
Art and Sustainability
Business Focus
·¡±·°ÕÌý2040
Foundations of Innovation and Entrepreneurship
µþ±«Ìý2240
Business Statistics (QRCO)
µþ±«Ìý2440
Business, Ethics, and Society
µþ±«³§Ìý1100
Introduction to Marketing and Sales
·¡±·°ÕÌý3030
Social Entrepreneurship
µþ±«Ìý3220
Business and the Environment
·¡³§±ÊÌý3340
Introduction to Ecological Economics
General Education Requirements
·¡±·Ìý1400Composition4
±õ³§Ìý1115Tackling a Wicked Problem4
CTDICreative Thought Direction3-4
PPDIPast and Present Direction3-4
SIDIScientific Inquiry Direction3-4
SSDISelf and Society Direction3-4
Directions (choose from CTDI, PPDI, SIDI, SSDI) 44-8
DICODiversity Connection3-4
WECOWellness Connection3-4
INCPIntegrated Capstone4
Electives25-14
Total Credits120
1

Students can go deep into one or two interdisciplinary focus areas or sample from various disciplines as long as they take at least three low level courses and five upper level courses. Students must keep in mind when planning their courses, that many of them have prerequisites (included in the required or optional courses). Students can take more than the minimum number of courses to follow their interests using their free electives and/or consider appropriate minors or certificates or a second major that might also use some of these courses.

2

Besides fulfilling the Interdisciplinary Focus requirement, the courses below can be used to aid in completing one or more minors or certificates. Possible minors of interest: Anthropology/Sociology, Applied Ethics, Art, Biology, Business Administration, Chemistry, Computing, Digital Media Design and Development, Economics, Expository Writing, Geography, Graphic Design, Marketing, Mathematics, Media Studies, Peace & Social Justice, Political Science, Professional Communication, and Sustainability. Possible certificates of interest: Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Transformative Innovation & Design entrepreneurship (TIDE).

3

Students with previous experience in a language must take a placement exam to determine the appropriate level course in which they should register. Otherwise students can start with the Spanish (SP 1011) or French (FR 1011) Language and Culture Studies I course. We recommend that those interested in taking a foreign language as a communication focus area choose to take more courses in the same language with the ultimate goal of effective communication in such language.

4

Directions should total 20 credits (unless the major has a waiver for a specific Direction).

Check all course descriptions for prerequisites before planning course schedule. Course sequence is suggested but not required.

To complete the bachelor’s degree in 4 years, you must successfully complete a minimum of 15 credits each semester or have a plan to make up credits over the course of the 4 years.Ìý For example, if you take 14 credits one semester, you need to take 16 credits in another semester.Ìý Credits completed must countÌýtoward your program requirements (major, option, minor, certificate, general education or free electives)

Plan of Study Grid
Year OneCredits
°ä³¢²ÑÌý1000 Introductory Climate Studies Seminar 1
²Ñ°ÕÌý2000 Fundamentals of Meteorology and Climatology (GACO) 3
·¡³§±ÊÌý2110 Introduction to Environmental Science and Policy II 4
²Ñ´¡Ìý2300 Statistics I (QRCO) 3
±õ³§Ìý1115 Tackling a Wicked Problem 4
·¡±·Ìý1400 Composition 4
CTDICreative Thought Direction 3-4
PPDIPast and Present Direction 3-4
SSDISelf and Society Direction 3-4
ÌýCredits28-31
Year Two
·¡³§±ÊÌý3201 Energy and Society 4
·¡³§±ÊÌý3326 Climate, Risk, and Adaptation (GACO) 3
²Ñ´¡Ìý2130
or ²Ñ´¡Ìý2550
Precalculus (QRCO)
or Calculus I (QRCO)
4
Take one of the following: 3-4
³Ò·¡Ìý2050
GIS I: Introduction to Geographic Information Systems (QRCO,TECO)
°ä³§Ìý2010
Computing Fundamentals (TECO)
°ä³§Ìý2370
Introduction to Programming
Interdisciplinary Focus - Lower Level (3 courses) 9-12
SIDIScientific Inquiry Direction 3-4
Elective 3-4
ÌýCredits29-35
Years Three and Four
°ä²ÑÌý3095 Technical Communication (TECO,WRCO) 4
·¡³§±ÊÌý4441 Climate Change 3
Interdisciplinary Focus Upper Level (5 courses) 15-20
°ä³¢²ÑÌý4000 Climate Studies Capstone Project 2
Directions (choose from CTDI, PPDI, SIDI, SSDI) 4-8
WECOWellness Connection 3-4
DICODiversity Connection 3-4
INCPIntegrated Capstone 4
Electives 11-21
ÌýCredits49-70
ÌýTotal Credits120

During the completion of their B.S. Climate Studies degree, our students will be introduced to, practice, develop, and should be able to demonstrate competency at the completion of their program in the following four areas:
Ìý
SLO 1 – Climate-system Knowledge
  • Knowledge and applications of climate science
  • Earth’s systems and the role of climate within these systems
  • Historical, current and predicted future status of Earth’s climate
  • Methods of climate research, research design, data collection, and data handling
SLO 2 – Climate Impacts Knowledge
  • Effects, hazards, consequences within and between science and social disciplines and societal sectors
SLO 3 – Effective Climate Communication
  • Technical oral and written communication of climate information
  • Public oral and written communication of climate information
SLO 4 – Climate Evidence and Source Evaluation
  • Use and assessment of climate-related information
  • Promotion and practice of science-based decision-making
SLO 5 – Interdisciplinary Integration of Climate with Other Disciplines
  • Application of climate and interdisciplinary knowledge and skills to an appropriate capstone project

The career possibilities are many, and include the fields of climate communication/public education, emergency management, conservation, public policy, science journalism, formal education, planning, and a variety of different types of private industry and government jobs working in the various aspects of the climate problem.

There are likely future career possibilities that we cannot foresee at the moment, and because of that, graduating students with a strong foundation of knowledge and skills, who can adapt and learn new tools and follow new paths, is of great importance.

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